Dior, the Elf

A new day ... Five bags after ... I move away ... Hunt a few more rabbits ... And use the scan ... there are plenty left ... even more since no one is hunting them ... Almost exiting the cave ... The scan shows them.

The cave is open, but when I pass a rain of arrows pierces my Goblin mode ... There is no point in hurt the flesh of Ru ... even more if I don't have material to spare ... need to snack some humans soon ... I continue walking, ignoring the arrows slowly being absorbed, and pull my tentacle out with the group of sleeping bunnies.

" Follow me Queens. "

I say turning to their faces, surprising them. Then I turn to the Elf Queen to make a question.

" Can the Goblin Queen visit the Tree ? "

My question surprises her, but she nods. We enter the portal, and I am guided once more to the Tree. But this time there is no light coming out, so I speak.

" Elf Queen ... how do you plan to reinforce your ceiling ? "

" My ceiling ... we are just starting to think about it ... We have some enchanted metal that can be ... "

" Food ... that is the biggest problem ... things changed ... and from the silence of the Tree ... a lot ... I came here to listen, but that is not possible, so I'll speak ... If we don't block the path, they enter. If we block the path they will be more willing to enter ... A barrier, similar to yours ... and a fireball bigger then all you know. "

" That is impossible, Ruby ... My barrier is a secret from ... "

" I saw it, Queen Elf ... And that's why Ruby called me ... A heroine used a weak version of what you can do ... So a stronger here can ... "

" Alchemists Queen Goblin ... Devoted to research, that lack the common sense of reality ... Digging knowledge, like a Dwarf digs a mine ... They have all ready ... are just waiting for the tunnel reaches deep enough. I'm still trying to understand how much time there is left ... but is soon. I could ask how they stole all this secrets, and search the responsible that sold your secrets ... but I will not do it. I'm just passing the information. Queen Goblin, the formula for the explosives was found out, Queen Elf the secret to your berries was found out ... Together they make a weapon that can destroy the ceiling, and send all the reinforcements flying away ... And that brings me to one simple question. If they enter using the ceiling, how they will move ? What part is missing ? "

Both Queens look at the tree, that remains silence, and the Goblin Queen speaks.

" Ruby ... there are several clans of Goblins ... and each as their secrets ... With Elves is the same ... "

" Gnomes and Fairies ... Explosions, and flying ... All to **** the tree to move down ... Before them, and army of Orcs. They think that the tree will be safer with them ... And are willing to sacrifice all my land ... That was the problem, name the land ... Replace the will of the Dragon ... While they wait for the saviour come from an egg. "

" You know all, Ruby ? "

" Ruby can see it, Goblin Queen ... I can sense her waves spreading ... and now returning ... barely, but it was there ... for a moment I felt all the floors connected ... as one ... Are we going to war, Ruby ? "

" They have nothing we want ... Unless you want to punish them for stealing your secrets ... "

" But ... they are coming for us, Ruby ... "

" You can run, or stay ... I came here to warn you ... about something you already know ... Even the Tree is silent ... Why would I ask you all to die ? Make no mistakes ... They are bringing their best. "

" What about ... the mountain, Ru ? "

" I'm preparing it ... but with that much firepower ... I foresee it collapsing with the shockwave ... My other alternative is to fill the whole floor with harder rocks ... This way will slow them enough ... Goblin Queen, you know your people ... living on a land of Elves is too much for them. On the right you have ants bigger then you, on the left you have water. Above you flying adventurers ... below the elves. Guide your people, I'll accept your decision. "

"Me Ruby ? Grandmother told me that the crown was heavy ... but this is too much ... If we evacuate down, it's the end of the Elves ... And the tree ... No Gnomes, no Fairies ... is that the plan ? "

" Ask your self why they want the Tree, Queen Goblin ... Above the humans, bellow the Fairies ... Between them, you ... a perfect ambush for a prey that was distracted. "

" My people will stay, Ruby ... They already know about the Tree, so at least we will gain some time. "

" Why would your people fall, to give time for mine, Queen Goblin ? "

" Ah ... Now I begin to see like Ruby ... It's obvious ... Trees give fruits, Queen Elf ... That's the plan, right Ruby ? Give time for the Tree bare a fruit ... plant it somewhere ... and let the Fairies with their rotten egg. Any ideas, Ruby ? "

" Fire, Queen Goblin ... They are going to burn your ceiling, you are going to burn their wings. "

A simple sentence, that make both look at me. The ideas is beyond what they could ever think. She laughs.

" Hahahaa ... Yes ... My hunters always wanted to shoot Fairies ... now they have a bigger fairy. "

" I need to go now ... Queen Goblin, learn to use the bunny farms ... and then burry the gate. If they want to reach the tree, they will have to do it with fire. "

" Ah ... That's why you used your senses Ruby ... Marvellous ... The Queen Elf is confused ... So I'll explain. We are going to reinforce the floor, Queen ... All places except the ceiling above us ... If they use the same cheap trick ... "

" The tree burns ... How are you going to reinforce the floors ? "

" No idea ... That's on Ruby. "

" Queen Goblin, Queen Elf ... my time is over ... We will meet again only before the battle starts. "

" How would I recognise you, Ruby ? "

" I'll be the one telling what they want to listen, Queen Goblin ... And no matter what I say, follow it. "

" You have a Goblin side, Ruby ? "

" Yesterday someone said I have a Dwarf side, on this land I had an Elf side ... I have only one side, mine. "

I walk away, and move faster then usual ... because I'm using my upgraded Telekinesis ... It works ... I move faster, and for a moment ... my feet don't touch the floor ... You want to burn the Goblins ? Prepared to be burned when you come out ... But for now is returning to Ru mode ... and continue delivering the bags ... with this one is six.

" Ru ... where were you ? I've been searching for you and ... "

" Resting ... I have a night shift scheduled. "

" Ah ... ok ... I should have considered that ... How many bags ? "

" Six ... "

" That's enough ... Follow me, your shift starts early ... any objection ? "

" Same price ? "

" Hahaha.Yes, it's not night, but the price is the same. You speak like a Dwarf ... Hey, look what I found. "

" Ruby, our other helper is sick ... Can you assist my brother a little ? "

" Belt ... and rope ? "

" Yes ... we are beyond the safety of the belt ... I'm going to rest now. Brother, this is Ru. Tell her a story. "

" The height matches a taller ... Dwarf ... What kind of story, Brother ? "

" Mining ... Ru likes to hear the lessons we can't teach. "

" Oh ... that's a good one, and ... "

" Bag. "

" What ... Ah ... Belt around the bag, and I pull with rope ... Here it is ... and full. Here is the belt. Story ? "

" Treasure. "

" Ah, that's a good one ... Mindset of a miner .... Orichalcum, Ruby. The Crown found a big mountain under our feet ... The stuff that is used to make armour that can't be ripped by a Dragon's claws, and can make swords capable of cutting anything ... A Master Dwarf dream to work with that. "

" How do you recognise it ? Bag."

" It looks red like your hair ... There is no mistake, and will be very easy to spot from this dirt. "

" Is my hair made of orichalcum ? "

" Your ... Hahaha ... that's a good one. You need a Mythril drill to gather the ore ... How is the air ? "

" Bag ... and I need a break. "

" At will ... here is the belt ... And here are you ... You cleaned all ? "

" I was feeling sleepy ... the tunnel needs to breath ... "

" Yes ... smart ... The masks are taking to long to arrive ... Ruby, don't go out of the common area, and ... "

" You fired me ... I know the rules. "

" Fire you ? Yes ... my brother's idea to explain things is always amusing ... Give the tunnel a few hours to breath, and return ... And here, this coins are for you. Any plans on what you are going to buy with your part of the treasure ? Hahaha. "

" A bag of holding, to carry all the rocks, and become a professional porter. "

" Hahaha ... a bag of holding to carry rocks ... Makes sense ... I wish the Crow considered that ... "

I walk away, and rest on my blanket ... cocoon mode ... perfect to not be seen. And from here ... a tiny small ant moves away ... now with my Medium Telekinesis ... is time to do some tests ... Is like I planed ... way faster, can use the inventory to deploy more mass ... and I don't lose contact ... Ruby pretends to be sleeping, and is ready to wake up, and my slime ant can move freely ... So is time make another test ... more mass ... and make a puppet ... and It works ... It's hard to move ... but my two ants can move in different directions ... Back to inventory puppet flying ants ... someone is calling me.

" Ru ... Are you ok ? "

" Sleeping. "

" Ah ... a heavy sleeper ... Why do you make a cocoon with your blanket ? "

" Bugs. "

" Makes sense ... Follow me, I want to introduce you to someone. "

I follow the Dwarf master, and enter a part of the Maze that I don't know ... It's not a secret passage, but all this things were not here. Vials, and more vials of potions ... And here is the responsible.

" Miss Dior ... this is Ru, our best assistant. Ru, miss Dior wants to know why the digging is so slow. "

" The tunnel can't breath, we lack a cleaner, and I don't have a bag of holding. "

My answer makes the master Dwarf look at me, but Dior nods.

" True ... all true ... you know who I am, Ru ? "

" The genius that made a giant pickaxe inside a vial. "

" Hahaha ... a funny answer ... I didn't understood the tunnel can't breath. Can you explain it ? "

I make a follow gesture, Dior and the Dwarf are surprised, and I take them to meet the Twin Dwarfs.

" Brother come out, Ru is back ... and brought the chief. Is there a problem, Ru ? "

" Dior doesn't understand why the tunnel can't breath, and I'm not good explaining. "

" Ah ... it's an expression we use ... Brother ? "

" Well ... Without air circulating ... the air makes us sleepy. "

" And if we fall sleep is forever. "

My answer makes both Dwarfs nod, and Dior looks at the tunnel.

" The perfect size like we planned ... Why aren't you using the masks ? "

" They haven't arrived, Chief. "

" Haven't ... I'll take care of that ... And what this idea for the bag of holding ? "

" Started has a joke, Chief ... to collect ore ... But with one ... "

" Ru cleans the tunnel faster, before getting sleepy. Do you know how much a bag of holding costs, Ru ? "

" A mountain of gold. You probably need one to carry the gold to buy one. "

" That's one way to say it. And is not far from reality. Are you interested in being my assistant, Ru ? "

" Can't, need to clean the tunnel. "

" Ru ... You should use this opportunity, and ... Brother, help me on this one ..."

" The other cleaner is sick. The tunnel is late, if I go away, you lose the contract, Dior can't use the fireball, and others get the treasure. "

" Yes ... What is the sickness of the other one ? "

" She is at the tavern ... resting. "

" Those idiots ... Ru ... you go to the tavern ? "

" Ru sleeps here, Chief. According to my Brother, she is fired if she moves away. "

" Fired ... Yes ... But that is not enough. Ru, if you stay you receive a bonus. "

They continue to talk, I return to my work, and after a few bags I come out. Dior looks at me.

" Is something wrong, Ru ? "

" Feeling sleepy, tunnels needs to breath ... "

" Ah, we are still very far from the depth I need ... Take a break, Ru ... And go outside ... You need to get sun every time you take a break ... One of you go with Ru, you also need sun ... You never stop do you ? "

They both nod, and I exit the Maze with them. They continue talking about mining, and ores. I make. a few questions to show interest, and direct the conversation ... Being a slime is interesting, but having a tentacle made of Orichalcum will be interesting also ... Or a knife ... guided by Medium Telekinesis ... But above all this is Dior, the missing piece ... An Elf alchemist ... and probably the one responsible to this plan ... but seems ... nice.

And if she is so warm hearted ... The Gnomes, and Fairies are the bad ones on this ... Or the Queens ... This is getting confusing ... besides that we have the tavern ... And since I'm outside, and now having a meal payed by the Twins, I have time to send my slime ant ... make a few more inside the inventory ... and ...